The streets of Liverpool, usually alive with the cheers and songs of football fans, were transformed into a scene of chaos and terror on May 26, 2025. What began as a jubilant celebration of Liverpool FC’s Premier League title quickly turned tragic when Paul Doyle, a 54-year-old local man, used his Ford Galaxy as a weapon, ploughing into more than 100 people gathered along Water Street. The attack, which lasted barely two minutes but left a trail of devastation, has since gripped the city and the nation, raising urgent questions about public safety and the unpredictable dangers that can arise even on the happiest of days.
The facts, as laid out in a series of harrowing court hearings and detailed by Sky News, BBC News, GB News, and The Independent, are chilling. Doyle, described by prosecutors as a "family man" who had no drugs or alcohol in his system and whose car was mechanically sound, simply lost his temper amid the traffic and crowds. In a moment of rage, he drove his 1.9-tonne vehicle directly into the throngs of supporters, injuring victims ranging in age from just six months old to 77 years.
Dashcam and CCTV footage shown in court captured the horror as it unfolded. Doyle can be heard repeatedly blaring his horn and shouting at pedestrians to "move out the f****** way" as he forced his way through the crowd. The footage, described as "truly shocking" by prosecutor Paul Greaney KC, left the courtroom in stunned silence, with audible gasps as the full extent of Doyle’s rampage became clear. "The strong sense from the dashcam footage is that the defendant regarded himself as the most important person on Dale Street, and considered that everyone else needed to get out of his way so that he could get to where he wanted to get to," Greaney told the court, as reported by BBC News.
Among the most heart-wrenching stories was that of Sheree Aldridge and her infant son, Teddy Eveson. As recounted in The Independent, Aldridge was pushing five-month-old Teddy in his pram through the crowds when Doyle’s car struck. The impact flung the pram—and Teddy—some 15 feet down the road. Aldridge herself was thrown onto the bonnet of the car and then run over, sustaining injuries likened by doctors to those suffered in a high-speed motorway crash. "I lost sight of the pram, and as I lay there in the road, I screamed and screamed to let people know my baby was up the road," Aldridge recalled. Miraculously, Teddy survived the ordeal unscathed, a fact his mother still describes as nothing short of a miracle. The family recently celebrated Teddy’s first birthday, with Aldridge noting, "I can’t believe to this day how lucky we were that he was OK, he was not injured." She and her partner, Daniel Eveson, continue to deal with the physical and emotional aftermath, with Aldridge undergoing ongoing treatment for nerve damage and a spinal injury, and Eveson forced to give up work due to injuries sustained in the attack.
Other victims were not so fortunate. The court heard statements from individuals ranging from young children to elderly parade-goers. A 12-year-old boy, whose identity remains protected, described the terror of being struck: "I found myself on the floor having been hit by a car I did not see coming, I have never felt so scared before in my life." His mother, as quoted by BBC News, said, "The sight of my son lying motionless on the road, not moving for those few seconds, and the sound of the car hitting people will live with me forever." Another woman, aged 66, spent four nights in hospital with multiple fractures, while a 77-year-old victim endured 27 days in hospital after suffering a litany of injuries, including broken bones and a fractured pelvis.
In the immediate aftermath, some onlookers even feared they were witnessing a terrorist attack. But police quickly ruled out any ideological motivation. "The truth is a simple one—Paul Doyle just lost his temper in his desire to get to where he wanted to get to. In a rage, he drove into the crowd," Greaney told the court, as reported by Sky News and BBC News.
One of the most dramatic moments of the day came thanks to the quick thinking and bravery of Daniel Barr, an ex-soldier. As detailed by GB News and confirmed in court, Barr saw the Galaxy weaving and hitting people, and when it stopped beside him, he instinctively pulled open the rear passenger-side door and climbed in. He leaned forward, moved the gear into "park," and held it as hard as he could, eventually bringing the vehicle to a stop. Prosecutors hailed Barr as the "hero" of the day, noting that it was his actions, combined with the mass of people trapped beneath the car, that finally ended Doyle’s rampage.
Police officers, too, were commended for their bravery and effectiveness, as they forced Doyle into a police van amid a hostile and fearful crowd. Body-worn camera footage captured Doyle’s immediate reaction: "I've just ruined my family's life," he told officers—a statement confirmed by both Sky News and BBC News.
The legal repercussions for Doyle have been severe. He pleaded guilty to 31 offences, including dangerous driving, affray, 17 counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, nine counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and three counts of wounding with intent. The charges relate to 29 named victims, with five other children remaining unnamed for legal reasons. Doyle had initially denied the offences, but changed his plea on the second day of his trial last month. Sentencing hearings at Liverpool Crown Court, presided over by Judge Andrew Menary KC, began on December 15 and continued into December 16, 2025.
Throughout the hearings, Doyle wept as footage of his rampage was played and as victims’ statements were read aloud. Some described suffering from "emotional and psychological injury" and "frequent flashbacks". Despite his claims to police that he acted out of fear and panic, prosecutors maintained that Doyle’s actions were driven purely by rage and a loss of self-control. "He was prepared to cause those in the crowd, even children, serious harm if necessary to achieve his aim of getting through," Greaney stated in court.
For the people of Liverpool and the many families affected, the events of May 26, 2025, will never be forgotten. The parade, meant to mark a moment of collective joy, instead became a stark reminder of how quickly tragedy can strike. Yet, amid the horror, stories of survival, courage, and resilience have emerged—offering some measure of hope in the aftermath of a day that changed so many lives.
